The Federal Government has issued a directive requiring health workers intending to work abroad to resign from their positions before departing the country.
Minister of State for Health, Tunji Alausa, announced the directive during his visit to the Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Aro, Abeokuta, Ogun State, yesterday.
Alausa emphasized that health workers should no longer apply for leave of absence before leaving the country, stating, “You cannot eat your cake and have it. If you are going, just resign your appointment with the Federal Government.” This directive, he explained, was communicated through a presidential executive order to all Chief Medical Directors of Federal Government-owned health facilities for implementation.
Explaining the rationale behind the directive, Alausa highlighted the challenges posed by health workers who remain on the government’s payroll while working abroad. He stressed that such individuals hinder the recruitment of replacements and burden their colleagues who remain in the country.
Furthermore, Alausa noted that the Federal Government has taken proactive measures to address the shortage of manpower in the health sector. He revealed that the annual enrolment of nurses has significantly increased, from 28,000 to 68,000, with plans to further raise it to 120,000 by the year’s end.
Alausa reassured that the government is aware of the impact of health workers leaving the country and is committed to ensuring an ample supply of skilled manpower to meet the nation’s healthcare needs.
